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Education
What THCA is, why temperature matters, and what the compounds in Blue Dream have been studied for — with sources.
The Compound
THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is the compound that cannabis produces naturally — present in the living plant in significant concentrations. On its own, it does not produce intoxication. It is not psychoactive.
Most people are familiar with THC — the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. THCA is the precursor to THC. The two molecules are closely related, but they behave very differently in the body. The distinction comes down to one thing: heat.
Decarboxylation is the process by which heat converts THCA into THC. When cannabis is smoked, vaped, or cooked, temperatures trigger a chemical reaction that removes a small molecular group from THCA — and the result is THC. Without that heat, the conversion does not occur. THCA stays THCA.
Tetra No. 1 is cold pressed. No heat is applied at any point in the extraction process. The THCA in the tincture is the same compound the plant produced — unheated, unaltered, and non-psychoactive.
Research has begun examining what THCA does in the body independently of THC. Early findings suggest it interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system through pathways distinct from THC — including PPARγ receptors, which are involved in inflammation and metabolic regulation. Studies have found preliminary evidence of anti-inflammatory,1,2 neuroprotective,3,4 and antiemetic5 activity in preclinical models. This research is ongoing and has not yet been established in large-scale human trials. We make no medical claims.
The Compounds
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by plants. They are responsible for scent and flavor — the smell of pine forests, the sharpness of black pepper, the calm of lavender. They are found in cannabis, citrus, herbs, trees, and thousands of other species. The same compound in a lavender plant is the same compound in a cannabis plant.
In cannabis specifically, terpenes are produced alongside cannabinoids in the same glands on the flower. Each cultivar produces a distinct terpene fingerprint — which is a large part of what makes strains smell and feel different from one another. A growing body of research is examining whether terpenes contribute to effects beyond scent, and what mechanisms might be involved.
Some researchers have proposed an "entourage effect" — the idea that cannabinoids and terpenes may work more effectively together than in isolation. The evidence for this remains preliminary, but it has become an active area of study. What is clearer is that terpenes are biologically active compounds, not inert flavoring agents, and several have been studied independently for pharmacological properties.
Cold pressing preserves the terpene profile of the source flower. Heat — which is applied in most extraction methods — degrades terpenes. What is in the bottle reflects what was in the plant.
Below is what the published literature has found for each terpene present in Blue Dream. All findings are preclinical unless otherwise noted.
Myrcene is typically the most abundant terpene in cannabis. It has an earthy, musky scent. Research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that myrcene reduced joint pain and inflammation in a rat arthritis model via a cannabinoid receptor mechanism.6 Earlier work documented dose-dependent sedative effects in rodents, with myrcene extending sleep time significantly at higher concentrations.7 It is also thought to influence the permeability of cell membranes, potentially affecting how other compounds are absorbed — though human evidence for this is limited.
6. Bol Medard et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of the Cannabis Terpene Myrcene in Rat Adjuvant Monoarthritis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022. PMC9319952.
7. Do Vale TG et al. Central effects of citral, myrcene and limonene, constituents of essential oil chemotypes from Lippia alba. Phytomedicine, 2002.
Beta-caryophyllene is unusual among terpenes in that it directly activates CB2 receptors — part of the same endocannabinoid system that cannabinoids interact with. This makes it, technically, both a terpene and a dietary cannabinoid. A study in Frontiers in Pharmacology confirmed its selective CB2 binding and documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in pain models.8 Separate research found that caryophyllene reduced inflammatory markers in an arthritis model and decreased expression of enzymes that break down joint tissue.9 It is one of the most studied terpenes in the cannabis literature.
8. Klauke et al. The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2014.
9. Aly et al. β-Caryophyllene Mitigates Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis via CB2 and PPAR-γ receptors. PMC, 2019. PMC6723248.
Alpha-pinene is one of the most common terpenes in nature — it is the scent of pine forests. In a rat model of stroke, alpha-pinene demonstrated neuroprotective effects via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.10 A separate study examining an Alzheimer's disease model found that alpha-pinene improved spatial learning and memory, reduced neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, and strengthened antioxidant defenses.11 A review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry identified pinene as a candidate for brain health research alongside linalool.12
10. Ma et al. Alpha-pinene exerts neuroprotective effects via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Journal of Surgical Research, 2021.
11. Al-Rashid et al. Neuroprotective effect of alpha-pinene via suppression of TNF-α/NF-κB pathway in Alzheimer's disease rat model. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 2022.
12. Kamal et al. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021. PMC8426550.
Linalool is the primary terpene responsible for lavender's characteristic scent, and it is well studied relative to other terpenes. Research published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that linalool produced significant anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects in mice when inhaled, mediated through GABAergic pathways — the same receptor system targeted by benzodiazepines, but without observed motor impairment.13 The same review that covered pinene identified linalool as a candidate for anxiety and mood-related research.12 Most evidence remains preclinical.
13. Harada et al. Linalool Odor-Induced Anxiolytic Effects in Mice. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018. PMC6206409.
Ocimene contributes a sweet, herbal, and slightly floral note to Blue Dream's aroma. It is less studied than other terpenes but has been examined for antimicrobial properties. A review of terpenes from medicinal plants published in PMC documented antifungal activity for ocimene-containing compounds.14 Separate work on essential oils containing ocimene found antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus and a coronavirus strain.15 Research is early and largely in vitro.
14. Mith et al. Antibacterial and Antifungal Terpenes from the Medicinal Angiosperms of Asia and the Pacific. PMC, 2023. PMC10180233.
15. Schnitzler P et al. Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses. Phytomedicine, 2008.
Terpinolene is one of the less common terpenes in cannabis generally, but it appears in notable concentrations in Blue Dream. It carries a fresh, piney, slightly citrusy scent. A study published in the Journal of Natural Medicine documented sedative effects in mice when inhaled.16 Antioxidant activity has also been reported, with one study finding that terpinolene inhibited LDL oxidation in combination with other antioxidant compounds.17 Research is limited relative to myrcene or caryophyllene.
16. Ito K, Ito M. The sedative effect of inhaled terpinolene in mice and its structure-activity relationships. Journal of Natural Medicine, 2013.
17. Grassmann J et al. Alpha-tocopherol enhances the antiproliferative and antioxidative properties of terpinolene. Phytomedicine, 2005.
Common Question
The lab results show a small amount of Δ9-THC: 0.0100% by weight, or 0.125 mg/mL. That number is real, and it is worth understanding.
Δ9-THC occurs naturally in all cannabis and hemp plants — including hemp grown specifically to minimize it. It is not something added during processing. Any full-spectrum hemp extract will contain trace amounts. Federal law defines legal hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight. Tetra No. 1 comes in at 0.0100% — one-thirtieth of that limit.
The primary compound in this product is THCA, which does not bind to the CB1 receptors in the brain responsible for intoxication. Even if trace Δ9-THC is present, the dominant molecule does not produce a psychoactive effect by any known mechanism.
The "Total THC (post-decarboxylation)" figure on the COA — 0.0403% — is a calculated number. It represents the theoretical maximum Δ9-THC that could result if all THCA in the product were fully converted by heat. It is not a measure of what is currently in the bottle.
In short: trace Δ9-THC is a normal and legally compliant feature of full-spectrum hemp extracts. The quantity present is not sufficient to produce intoxication.
Reference
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. The raw, non-psychoactive compound produced by the cannabis plant. Precursor to THC. Does not cause intoxication in its unheated form.
Tetrahydrocannabinol. The psychoactive compound in cannabis. Produced when THCA is exposed to sufficient heat through a process called decarboxylation.
A heat-triggered chemical reaction that converts THCA into THC by removing a carboxyl group from the molecule. Occurs during smoking, vaping, or cooking. Does not occur in cold pressing.
Aromatic compounds produced by plants. Responsible for scent and flavor. Found in cannabis, citrus, pine, lavender, and thousands of other plant species. A growing area of pharmacological research.
A biological signaling system present in the human body. Regulates functions including inflammation, mood, pain perception, and appetite. Contains receptors (CB1, CB2, PPARγ, and others) that respond to both endogenous compounds and plant-derived cannabinoids and terpenes.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. A receptor involved in inflammation, fat cell development, and metabolic regulation. Activated by THCA in preclinical studies.
A cannabinoid receptor found primarily in immune tissues. Associated with anti-inflammatory signaling. Activated by beta-caryophyllene (a terpene) as well as certain cannabinoids.
Research conducted in cell cultures or animal models before human trials. A necessary early stage of scientific research. Findings are meaningful but cannot be directly applied to humans without further study.
A natural, food-grade liquid derived from plant oils. Used as the carrier in Tetra No. 1. Non-alcoholic, slightly sweet, and generally well-tolerated by the digestive system.
Citations
All research cited on this page is preclinical unless otherwise noted and has not been conducted or endorsed by Tetra. These findings do not constitute medical advice and are provided for educational purposes only. Tetra makes no medical claims. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.